Main Event: Magomed Ankalaev Dethrones Alex Pereira
UFC 313 took place on March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It also was a night of energetic fights that saw the fans mesmerized. The headliner for the night was a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout between the titleholder Alex Pereira and challenger Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira, a master striker, faced Ankalaev, who possessed a well rounded set of skills in the octagon. The fight was intense, with both guys having their moments. Ankalaev’s plan and effective application of rear teep kicks allowed him to set the tempo and land important strikes. The five-round battle was decided by the judges in Ankalaev’s favor with a 49–46, 48–47, and 48–47 score, making him the new Light Heavyweight Champion.
Co-Main Event: Justin Gaethje Won a War Over Rafael Fiziev
In the co-main bout, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev engaged in a much-hyped rematch. The first bout between them at UFC 286 in 2023 was close, with Gaethje winning via majority decision. Both fighters are renowned for their aggressive striking, and this bout was not an exception. They exchanged heavy blows over the course of the three rounds, thrilling the crowd with their relentless pace.
Gaethje’s exposure and adjustment to Fiziev’s attack left him with the upper hand, and he captured another unanimous decision victory with all three judges having the fight 29–28. Their battle back-and-forth saw them earn the “Fight of the Night” award, and they again proved why they are two of the division’s most exciting fighters.
Other Notable Moments from UFC 313
Apart from the co-headline and headliner fights, there were numerous other highlights in UFC 313. Ignacio Bahamondes had a spectacle-filled performance in his lightweight bout against Jalin Turner, recording a first-round win with a triangle choke submission at 2:29. He received the “Performance of the Night” bonus for this show-stopping finish.
In strawweight women’s division, Amanda Lemos battled Iasmin Lucindo. She showed her all-around skillset, resulting in a unanimous decision win. With all judges scoring the fight 29–28 in her favor.
Easily the most gorgeous finish of the night was Maurício Ruffy’s knockout of veteran Bobby Green in round one at 2:07. The highlight-reel finish not only earned Ruffy a “Performance of the Night” award but also cemented him as a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division.
Meanwhile, in the flyweight division, Joshua Van dominated Rei Tsuruya via unanimous decision as all three judges scored the bout 30–27. Brunno Ferreira showed his grappling prowess in the middleweight bout by submitting Armen Petrosyan by triangle armbar.
The excitement did not cease there as Carlos Leal made a statement in the welterweight division by defeating Alex Morono by first-round knockout at 4:16. All fights on the card contributed to making it an exhilarating night.
A Night to Remember
UFC 313 will be one for the ages as an event with so many great matchups. As well as Outstanding performances, and up-and-coming contenders stepping up to the challenge. With a new Light Heavyweight Champion being crowned, a war that none will ever forget between Gaethje and Fiziev. Also highlight-reel finishes galore across the card, this event gave all MMA fans could ask for.
